Tag: coronavirus

Stagecoach praises ‘heroes behind the wheel’

  • Stagecoach details additional steps being taken to support key workers, local communities and supply chain
  • Public transport continues to play a vital role in the country’s efforts to beat COVID-19
  • Measures include dedicated shuttle buses for NHS workers in some areas, support for communities and additional capacity to distribution centres
  • Timetable improvements have also been made following key worker feedback

Stagecoach has publicly thanked its employees right across the country for the fantastic work they are doing in keeping key workers moving as part of the national effort at this difficult time.

Public transport, especially the bus, has become even more important to the country to ensure that vital public services continue in the face of COVID-19.

The country’s biggest bus and coach operator also outlined additional steps being taken to provide extra support for key sector workers. This includes dedicated shuttles and demand responsive transport for healthcare workers as well as measures to support local communities, the supply chain and distribution networks.

Helping the country’s valuable NHS workers

In London, Stagecoach is working with Transport for London to run specific and dedicated shuttles for NHS staff working at the new 4,000 bed Nightingale emergency Hospital.

A dedicated shuttle bus service is being provided for NHS staff at Hull Royal Infirmary, Kings Mill Hospital in Mansfield and the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital in Grimsby. The shuttle is only accessible for key workers, ensuring they have quick and easy journeys home after their shifts.

In Aberdeen and the surrounding area, the NHS megarider ticket continues to offer discounts to NHS workers.

In the Scottish Highlands, free travel is available for NHS staff in the Inverness area going to or from Raigmore Hospital and New Craigs between 7-10pm through a dial-a-bus service that can be booked up to the day before.

In Glasgow, Stagecoach is working with bus operator McGill’s to increase travel options for key workers with four buses an hour between Glasgow and the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and shared ticketing.

In South Wales, Stagecoach is offering free travel to NHS workers as part of the bus support package from the Welsh Government, and is serving eight hospitals in the region. Local authorities in other some parts of the UK are also introducing free travel for NHS workers.

In the South West, as a result of a partnership with the hospital trust, NHS workers are being offered free travel to the Royal Devon Hospital.

In the west of England, NHS staff at Southmead Hospital in North Bristol and NHS staff in Gloucestershire can access discounted fares.

In partnership with Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Stagecoach has provided an extension to the 14/14A service between Oxford and John Radcliffe Hospital to provide access for hospital staff to a temporary parking facility.

Providing extra support for healthcare organisations

In Hartlepool, the Tees Flex dmand responsive buses are being kept on standby to help with patient transport services.

In London, Stagecoach’s West Ham Garage is being used by the London Ambulance Service to commission new ambulances and also re-commission old ambulances with the support of the AA.

Supporting local communities

In Inverness, bus drivers are helping Highland Council with deliveries to remote rural communities.

In Aberdeen, a new shopper shuttle service has been introduced between the Countesswells housing development and local supermarkets.

In Merseyside, Stagecoach and Arriva are accepting Merseyrail train tickets on buses at times when the rail network is not running.

Extra support for the supply chain

Capacity on buses to the Europarc food production site in Grimsby has been doubled and all services are now running as double deckers to help with social distancing. This service has also been duplicated between Cleethorpes Pier and Grimsby Town.

Double the number of services are now running to Moy Park in Lincolnshire, one of Europe’s leading poultry producers, to help with social distancing.

To help keep the supply chain moving, additional capacity is being provided to Amazon distribution sites in Fife, Northampton and North Bristol.

In Manchester, extra services are being provided to service local business parks and the major Amazon distribution centre.

In the Midlands, extra services are being provided for the distribution centres at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal near Rugby, and the distribution centres at Swan Valley in Northampton.

Encouraging feedback to enable timetables to be improved for key workers

Across the country, Stagecoach has been revising its timetables to cater for the reduced demand in travel following the government’s advice to stay at home and avoid non-essential travel.

The timetables have been developed to continue supporting key workers on their journeys to and from work, but Stagecoach has also encouraged feedback from its customers on specific changes they would like to see.

As a result:

In West Scotland, extra journeys have been added between Cumnock and Ayr Hospital and between Cumnock and Kilmarnock to help cater for key worker shifts.

In Aberdeen, temporary timetables have been enhanced to cater for morning shifts at hospitals as well as offshore workers connecting to the heliport.

In addition, discussions are ongoing with local authorities across the country on how Stagecoach buses not being used in public service might be able to provide extra support with food deliveries and other essential public services.

Martin Griffiths, Stagecoach Chief Executive, said: “Key workers across Britain are working incredibly hard as part of the national effort to beat the coronavirus. I’m extremely proud of all the great work that our own teams are doing to keep the country moving, including getting our vital healthcare workers to hospitals.

“Our own heroes behind the wheel and their colleagues in support roles are really putting their country and their local communities first. We know from the feedback we’ve received from many customers across the country how much their selfless efforts are appreciated and we are doing everything we can to keep our people and our customers safe.

“We are also trying to play our part through special initiatives in partnership with local authorities and the NHS to support key workers, the supply chain, distribution networks and other vital services.

“It’s important that we all follow the government and public health advice to tackle the epidemic and pull together to support each other at this time.”

Stagecoach is strictly following government and public health guidelines, including those from the World Health Organisation, to keep its employees and customers safe.

A number of extra measures have been put in place including:

  • Asking passengers to pay by contactless wherever possible, or have the correct change for their journey if they can. Alternatively payments can be made online or via the App.
  • Supplied thousands of bottles of personal hand sanitiser to employees with larger refill bottles at depots.
  • Ensured that nearly all buses are fitted with security screens which have been adapted to provide a barrier to help prevent transmission of the virus.
  • Launched an enhanced cleaning regime of buses and workplaces, which is being strictly adhered to and includes extensive cleaning of the key touch-points such as the ticket machines, hand poles, and cash tray.
  • Carried out extensive customer communications asking people only to travel if necessary, and to practice social distancing by using a single row per person if possible, avoiding the two rows directly behind the driver and keeping a safe distance between the driver and other passengers.

For more information about Stagecoach or to check the latest timetables visit https://www.stagecoachbus.com/coronavirus

Transport community to aid Coronavirus effort

New arrangements are being put in place to tap into the groundswell of support from the transport community to help people with suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms attend urgent but non-emergency medical appointments.

The Scottish Government and NHS Boards, with the support of Scotland’s business community, have been working to make vehicles and drivers available to COVID-19 symptomatic patients who are well enough to travel but do not have access to a car and are unable to use public transport to reach their local COVID-19 Community Assessment Centre.

These arrangements will also create greater capacity for patients to meet other medical appointments, should that become necessary.  Protocols have been prepared, in line with social distancing guidance, to ensure the safety of patients and drivers.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “While we are asking people wherever possible to look after themselves at home, when symptoms do worsen or become unmanageable patients may be asked to attend their local Community Assessment Centre. This can be challenging where a person is well enough to travel but has no access to their own transport and is not allowed to use public transport.

“These new patient transport services will be in line with social distancing measures and make it easier for people to get the right help at the right time which will also reduce pressure on hospital admissions.

“The patient driver services are a fantastic example of Scotland pulling together to respond to COVID-19 and I must give thanks to all those who have volunteered their services so far. I am particularly grateful to Arnold Clark for volunteering a fleet of vehicles to our Health Boards, car hire companies for their offers of support, and the taxi industry for engaging so positively with us to secure additional capacity if and where needed.

“So far we have received more than 100 offers of support from businesses across Scotland to help move people and goods, and we are working with health boards to explore and take advantage of these opportunities.”

Arnold Clark Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Eddie Hawthorne said: “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to keep NHS key workers and the emergency services on the road since our branches temporarily closed on 24 March following the government’s lockdown advice.

“Along with the hundreds of vehicles we have provided free of charge to the NHS and frontline emergency personnel to help them get on with their vital work, we are delighted now to be able to help patients too with this new transport service.

“We are proud of the valiant efforts our employees have made in response to requests from frontline workers across the country. On behalf of everyone at Arnold Clark, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to the NHS and all frontline staff for the incredible work they are doing in very difficult circumstances. We are proud to assist them in any way we can.”

Prime Minister released from hospital

Prime MInister Boris Johnson was released from hospital yesterday after having spent seven nights in hospital.

Mr Johnson was taken to St John’s Hospital in Westminster on Sunday 5th April – ten days after testing positive for coronavirus.

The PM was moved to an Intensive Care ward on Monday where he spent three nights before returning to a ward on Thursday.

He will now continue his recuperation at Chequers, the PM’s official country residence.

This was the statment from Downing Street:

The PM has been discharged from hospital to continue his recovery, at Chequers.

On the advice of his medical team, the PM will not be immediately returning to work. He wishes to thank everybody at St Thomas’ for the brilliant care he has received.

All of his thoughts are with those affected by this illness.

The Prime Minister was released from hospital on the day that the number of deaths from coronavirus in the UK topped 10,000. This figure does not include people who die in other community settings, including care homes, so that figure may well be substantially higher.

 

Immediate pay rise for social care staff

Social care staff are to receive an immediate 3.3% pay increase backdated from 1 April.

The move, agreed between the Scottish Government and COSLA, means staff will not need to wait for the pay to be backdated at a point later in the year following negotiations, as has happened in previous years.

It is part of a package of measures to support social care workers in recognition of the vital role they are playing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Social care support workers providing direct adult support will have their pay increased to at least the Real Living Wage rate of £9.30 an hour for all hours worked, including sleep-overs and hours worked by personal assistants.

The Scottish Government will also provide funding to third sector and independent providers specifically to ensure staff receive sick pay if they are off work ill or because they are self-isolating.

In addition, the agreed funding increase to these providers will give them the financial flexibility to increase wages across their organisations, and not just to frontline staff.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “Scotland’s dedicated social care workers are on the frontline of our national pandemic response. Their work is always hugely valued, and never more so than now.

“The measures we are announcing in partnership with COSLA today will ensure all people providing adult social care receive the Real Living Wage for every hour worked with immediate effect, rather than having to wait until later in the year.

“As well as providing an uplift in pay for all social care workers, this package ensures social care providers have both flexibility to increase wages across their organisations and the necessary funding for sick pay if their employees are off ill or are self-isolating.”

Cllr Stuart Currie, COSLA spokesperson for Health and Social Care, said: “Local Government recognise and value the vital contribution of Scotland’s social care workforce and have made great efforts together to achieve an agreement that confirms the living wage as well as supporting providers where they are experiencing additional cost associated with COVID-19.

“Today’s announcement reflects the key worker status of social care support staff and confirms support for those off sick or self-isolating.”

Andy Kerr, Chair of the Fair Work in Social Care Group, said: “This announcement will provide social care providers the confidence, in these very challenging times, to ensure a very welcome and deserved pay uplift for social care staff working in Scotland.

As well as recognising the importance of their work, today’s announcement also gives reassurance that financial support is available for those who are sick or self-isolating during this unprecedented situation. It also reflects the work we are doing as part of the overall reform of adult social care to build a framework for fair work across the sector.”

A joint letter from Ms Freeman and Cllr Currie was issued to all local authorities setting out details of the package.

This follows their previous letter to local authorities and integrated joint boards to confirm the key worker status of social care workers, and their access to childcare and support where required.

1000 free nights booked for medical staff at Edinburgh hotel

MEDICAL and clinical staff battling COVID-19 in Edinburgh have booked 1,000 nights of free rooms and meals at the largest independent hotel in the city.

Ten Hill Place, owned by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RSCEd), opened its doors to the city’s hospital staff on Friday 27 March and has since accommodated more than 200 key workers, with bookings increasing daily.

Located three miles from the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and less than a mile from the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, the hotel is providing much-needed nearby accommodation and meals for key workers tackling the pandemic.

This has proven invaluable to guests facing tiring commutes between expanding shifts or to help workers isolating from vulnerable family members.

Scott Mitchell, Managing Director at Surgeons Quarter, said: “The response to our decision to accommodate medical and clinical workers has been astounding, and we want to encourage more staff who are working at the city’s hospitals to get in touch with us to find out how we can help support them.

“It’s a privilege to play our part in helping make the lives of medical workers a little easier during one of the most difficult times the country has faced.”

Ten Hill Place has 129 bedrooms available for hospital staff, as well as packed continental breakfasts and complementary evening meals courtesy of its award-winning catering team.

Frontline workers have praised the hotel for its continued support during the pandemic.

A Tripadvisor user, “renaissanced”, posted: “I cannot explain how grateful I am to them. All social distancing respected and we are well looked after – not to have worries about cooking or cleaning plus a calm comfortable night’s sleep is great. This will be my top hotel in Edinburgh forever.”

Another user of the travel review site, “Richard G”, said: “My fiance and I stayed here while she has been working as an intensive care nurse which has cut out travel and time during this stressful period. I cannot praise the staff and ownership of this hotel enough – it is a wonderful facility and the help they are providing the NHS is amazing. I will always try to stay here in the future.”

Professor Michael Griffin, President of the RSCEd and one of the UK’s leading surgeons, said: “We’ve heard and seen directly from our colleagues how severe the impact COVID-19 is on our health service.

“Having accommodation near hospitals to rest and recover from allows our colleagues to be looked after, at a time when they need the most support. We’re incredibly proud of the team at Surgeons Quarter and their invaluable efforts to help the health service.”

Scott added: “We look forward to welcoming and accommodating as many workers as possible over the coming weeks, please contact the hotel on 0131 662 2080 or by email at reservations@tenhillplace.com to make your booking.”

As well as the commitment to accommodate staff, the RCSEd has been engaging with interim Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gregor Smith to declare its willingness to temporarily convert the hotel, should hospitals overflow.

Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd campus. All profits support the charitable aims of the College which are education, assessment and advancement in surgical standards worldwide.

Ten Hill Place Hotel can be contacted on 0131 662 2080 or reservations@tenhillplace.com

Maternity services are open for business – help us keep them that way, says RCM

The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has called on every pregnant woman to support them in keeping services open and available.

With maternity services across the country working to maintain as broad a range of services – including antenatal appointments and scans – as they can, the RCM has urged pregnant women and their families to do their bit to keep themselves healthy and protect midwives and maternity support workers (MSWs) too.

The RCM is calling on pregnant women to let their midwife know if they or anyone in their home starts to have symptoms of Covid-19 and they must also continue to attend routine appointments for antenatal care and scans.

Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the RCM, said: “It’s really important to remember that maternity services are open. Every day, up and down the country, babies are being born and new families are created. Coronavirus isn’t putting a stop to that.

“Yes, some things may be slightly different – you may see your midwife via a video screen for some appointments, for example – but you will still receive the care and support you need throughout your pregnancy.

“We want you to have a happy and healthy pregnancy and birth, and our members will support you every step of the way. What we’re asking in return is that you support them too, by reducing their exposure to coronavirus. If you or your partner has coronavirus symptoms, it’s vital that you let your midwife know before you attend an appointment.

“You’ll still get the care you need, but your midwife will be able to take the precautions they need to keep themselves as safe as possible. The same applies when you go into labour. Let the maternity unit know so they can be ready for you and help you welcome your new baby into the world.”

The RCM has applauded the maternity units that are embracing innovation to replace some face to face consultations with phone or by video calls. They have stressed the need for pregnant women to continue to attend all appointments for scans, blood pressure, urine checks and blood tests as planned.

It is also vital to contact their midwife if they have any concerns, particularly around the movement of their baby, without delay.

Gill added: “I am so proud of the work Heads and Directors of Midwifery are doing to keep services open and to make sure pregnant women still receive the care they need.

“Please support them this Easter weekend, by not taking a break from the important measures that are in place to keep you safe. Stay at home as much as you can, and if you can’t continue to observe social distancing; wash your hands regularly and avoid touching your face; and if you cough or sneeze, do it into the crook of your elbow or into a tissue.”

Artificial intelligence aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus

With limited knowledge of COVID-19 worldwide, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is using its artificial intelligence resources to improve understanding of the virus. This information will be used as it becomes available to frontline clinicians to help diagnose and treat COVID-19.   

The team at the Industrial Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research in Digital Diagnostics (iCAIRD) develops artificial intelligence solutions in the NHS.

They are now developing algorithms that will analyse all available datasets on COVID-19 within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, working with iCAIRD industrial partners Bering Research Limited and Canon Medical Research Europe.

This includes clinical information that is already collected like virology tests, diagnostic tests and chest x-rays and patient data such as health records, GP referral letters, discharge notes when available.

The data will then be made available to NHS staff treating people with COVID-19 on the frontline to assist their decision making.

Dr Jennifer Armstrong, Medical Director of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, welcomed the move and said: “We are mobilising all of our resources in order to respond as best we can to COVID-19. This initiative shows real teamwork across our organisation as we link together real-time research to the frontline. 

“I want to thank all of our staff for their efforts in an incredibly challenging time.”

Julie Brittenden, Director of Research and Development, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:  “We are using artificial intelligence at scale to look at all of our available data on COVID-19. The power in our approach is that the data will become more and more accurate as time goes on as we identify patterns and trends about COVID-19.

“Our research, development and innovation teams continue to work tirelessly on clinical trials related to diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19.”

Dr. Ignat Drozdov, Managing Director of Bering Limited said: “Since the beginning of March, we’ve been working with doctors on the frontline to develop new defences against the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our experience in interpreting medical images has allowed us to rapidly adapt our tools to help spot the signs of this disease.”

Alongside collecting data on diagnosis and care, the research also aims to predict hospital admissions, days spent in hospital and resources required for each patient.

Work at iCAIRD and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is underway to analyse available data with the aim of information getting to frontline staff in the coming months.

iCAIRD is primarily funded by Innovate UK.

A hundred days on: looking for a silver lining

Six months ago this virus didn’t exist. There was no such thing as Coronavirus Covid -19. The first known case dates back to 17 November in Hubei, China and we’ll probably never know if Case Zero was indeed the first person to contact the disease.

This first case was first brought to the attention of the World Health Organisation on 31 December and today, one hundred days on, there have been 1.8 million cases worlwide and more than 110,000 people have died.

Our world has changed out of all recognition from the place we knew as we brought in the New Year what seems an age ago.

Coronavirus has brought out the best in some people, the worst in others. The unsung community heroes, the supermarkets, the care workers and the NHS staff on the frontline. And then there are the stockpilers, the profiteers, the guidance floughters and the fraudsters.

We worry about family and friends. We miss the simple things: the cinema trips, a pint in the pub, a football match, a family meal.

Just a few short weeks ago, we worried ourselves over other things that don’t seem quite so important now, but they will resurface again when coronavirus is under control.

Brexit will become an issue again and we can be pretty sure that politics will return to the pre-Covid Punch and Judy Show it was before the virus took hold.

And we’ll talk again about our Edinburgh – we’ll debate Air BnB, we’ll seethe over ‘student flats’ planning development applications, the dire state of our public services and we’ll discuss the commercialisation of Edinburgh’s city centre at festival times.

The virus is a cruel, terrible thing but it does have one blessing: it gives each of us valuable time to think. To think about what is important. To think about what we as a society need, not want. To think about how we can do things differently to ensure that all are included and none are left behind.

We CAN do things differently if we choose to. We must use this precious time wisely.

A happy Easter to everyone – please stay safe at home

 

Letter: Scandalous

Dear Editor,

It looks like our so-called leaders are making a right fool of themselves and our country at a time when they should be dealing with this pandemic effectively. 

Matt Hancock the Health Secretary stated that the public doesnt need to wear masks and should leave them for the NHS staff.

Firstly, its absolutely appalling how this government has failed to respond to this pandemic and are now busy showcasing themselves and pointing the finger at the public who are just trying to keep themselves safe.

Secondly, most of the masks the public are wearing aren’t even fit for purpose for our health workers as they are purchased online on Ebay etc so are you saying this is what our frontline staff should be wearing? If so, this is s shameful suggestion.

The British government has proven itself to be one of the least well prepared of all global governments in dealing with this disease and protecting its people.

This government’s inaction and austerity policy have caused a shortage of face masks and protective for the NHS, so stop blaming the public and get your acts together before its too late.

And the Home Secretary Priti Patel finds it hard to apologise for these failings and thinks this is ok and can be ‘expected because of the situation’.

Stop the deception and do something for the people who are dying instead of bluffing your way through the questions as this is real life and real lives being lost.

These so called “low skilled” migrants who are fighting for this country: whats your contribution?

We want action that works.

 

Foysol Choudhury MBE

Chairman, Edinburgh & Lothians Regional Equality Council

 

Shedders show the way

Kinross & District Men’s Shed (KDMS) is producing face shields to protect key workers on the front line during the Coronavirus pandemic.

This vital piece of kit provides a barrier to stop workers from touching their face and also protection from the patient if they cough or sneeze.

KDMS is using 3D printers to make the Polylactic Acid (PLA) face shields and requests are coming in at a tremendous rate from the community.  KDMS Chairman, David Connor, said: “KDMS wanted to help and one of our Shedders, Jim Forbes, started working in his shed at home to come up with a solution to meet the demand for this life-saving protective equipment.

The Shedders have really stepped up and there is a team of around 12-15 of us involved in taking and recording orders, administration, printing, assembly, quality checks and delivery.  More and more Shedders are becoming involved each day to lend a helping hand to this cause.

“Orders are coming in thick and fast from NHS workers, carers, testing hubs, postal workers and shop workers across Ayrshire, Perthshire, Fife, Forth Valley and Clackmannanshire.  We had to set up a business model quickly and efficiently to get this right.  Everything is done safely from our homes and we communicate through phone and video calls.

“We have fulfilled over 100 orders so far and now have an order for 100 more.  We have been receiving photographs and video calls from the key workers when they have received their face shields and it makes everything that we are doing worthwhile.”

Jim Forbes, 81, said: “I had a vision to do this and researched face shields online and came up with a quality product – quick to produce, washable/reusable and light –  consisting of four simple parts: the shield’s top frame; standard A4 acetate sheet protector screen; bottom support; and elastic to keep the shield firmly on the face.  An advantage of the design is the bridge between the forehead and the face plate which greatly reduces breath aerosol mist (possibly infected) from entering the users’ eyes.

“This 3D printed version needs no tools to assemble except for a pair of scissors to trim the face plate.  For Shedders with no access to a 3D printer, we also developed a second product where no tools are required other than scissors.

“Every single item is checked and the shield comes with an instruction leaflet for the end user.  We initially had our one Shed 3D printer and my machine but now Culture Perth & Kinross has dedicated their five printers bringing us up to seven solely dedicated to this task.

“A local lady in Powmill who has been printing hundreds of shields has also bought herself another one and offered that second printer to help us if she has any free space.  We are now able to produce an output of 40-50 shields per day.

“When it comes to delivery, there is obviously no contact.  The order is simply placed in our gardens when we are notified that the person is on their way to collect.”

Shedders have been creating the products at home but are running low on supplies and have set up a Go Fund Me page to pay for much-needed supplies.  The Shed has already raised over £2,000 towards materials to date.

KDMS has created assembly instructions, spreadsheets, instruction leaflet and 3D Printer files (STL files and G-codes) that it is happy to share with other Sheds interested in becoming involved to help with their orders or wishing to replicate the model in their local area.

Shedders of Scotland – it’s over to you!